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CCSP Practice Question: Is reviewing logs and finds repeated failed login…
A security engineer is reviewing logs and finds repeated failed login attempts to a cloud database instance. The database is accessible only from a specific security group. What is the BEST immediate action to reduce the attack surface?
⚠ Common exam trap
ISC2 often tests the distinction between network-layer controls (security groups) and application-layer controls (MFA, port obfuscation) to see if candidates prioritize reducing the attack surface at the lowest possible layer, where the impact is broadest and most immediate.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Review the security group inbound rules and restrict the source IP to only the required application servers.
The immediate priority is to restrict network-level access to the database. Since the database is only accessible from a specific security group, reviewing and tightening the inbound rules to allow traffic only from the required application servers' IP addresses directly reduces the attack surface by eliminating unnecessary exposure. This is a fundamental network segmentation principle in cloud security, as it prevents any unauthorized host within the security group from attempting authentication.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Enable multi-factor authentication for the database user accounts.
Why it's wrong here
MFA is good but does not prevent the attack from the current source if credentials are compromised.
- ✓
Review the security group inbound rules and restrict the source IP to only the required application servers.
Why this is correct
This limits who can attempt to connect, reducing the attack surface.
- ✗
Change the database port to a non-standard port.
Why it's wrong here
Security by obscurity is not a reliable control.
- ✗
Delete the database instance and restore from backup.
Why it's wrong here
Too drastic and does not address the root cause.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This CCSP practice question is part of Courseiva's free ISC2 certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the CCSP exam.